2018’s Black History Month theme is African Americans in Times of War, a topic that is often overlooked when learning about our country’s history. We’re sharing some books and other resources that can help you learn more about this important topic.

Making Gay History has an episode featuring the story of Perry Watkins. “…openly gay nineteen-year-old Perry had every reason to believe he’d never serve—not because he objected to serving his country, but because the U.S. military barred homosexuals. But the Army took him anyway. Then after fifteen years of exemplary service, they threw him out. The reason? Because he was gay.

Perry didn’t just walk away with his tail between his legs. With the help of the ACLU, he fought his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and after an eight-year battle won reinstatement—one of the first to do so.”